India Gets First Private PinS Instrument Approach Procedure for Helicopter Operations
New Delhi, July 1 (TNT): India has achieved a major milestone in its civil aviation sector with the approval of the country’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations at the Undavalli Heliport in Andhra Pradesh.
The procedure, developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been designed in accordance with DGCA regulations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices.
PinS (Point-in-Space) procedures use satellite-based navigation technology to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports without conventional instrument landing infrastructure, particularly during adverse weather conditions and in areas lacking ground-based navigation aids.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu described the approval as the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations, saying it would significantly enhance flight safety, operational efficiency and all-weather accessibility.
He appreciated the coordinated efforts of the DGCA, AAI and the Andhra Pradesh Government in achieving the milestone and said the Centre remains committed to adopting modern technologies to make helicopter operations safer, more reliable and accessible across the country.
He noted that the development follows the recent successful demonstration of India’s first indigenous GAGAN-based precision approach by a commercial aircraft, reflecting the government’s focus on modernising aviation infrastructure through Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and indigenous satellite-based navigation technologies.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the approval is expected to facilitate the development of similar PinS procedures across the country, benefiting emergency medical services, disaster relief, tourism, offshore operations, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation and regional connectivity.
It said the technology would enable safer Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations to remote and strategically important locations, improve operational reliability and minimise weather-related disruptions.
The Ministry congratulated the DGCA, AAI and other stakeholders involved in the initiative, saying the achievement reinforces India’s commitment to adopting global best practices and strengthening helicopter connectivity through advanced satellite-based navigation technologies.
TNT TS
